Hosiery drying form



Jam 1934- T. w. PROSSER El AL 1,942,443

HOSIERY DRYING FORM Filed Oct. 3, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Jjqgmagj' 0 1 05587 m Mn. ,QMM YW ATTORNEYS Jam 1934- T. w. PROSSER ET AL ,4

HOSIERY DRYING FORM Filed Oct. 3, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 M 6 4 MM 4 ,Qa-MM Y 7 I ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 9, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE.

1,942,448 7 HOSIERY DRYING. FORM Illinois Application October 3, 1931. Serial No. 566,758

13 Claims.

Our invention relates to hosiery drying forms, and more particularly to an internally heated form which is adapted to the drying of hosiery composed of fabric portions having differing textures or weights.

The purpose and manifold advantages of the apparatus of the instant disclosure are substanially set forth in our copending application filed May 23, 1931, S. N. 539,488, with this exception: that the form of the present invention contemplates either the use of steam alone, or acombination of steam and hot water, as a heating agent, whereas that of the application referred to may be used with either steam or hot water. The principal object of the present invention is the provision of a form which is adapted to uniformly dry within a minimum time a hosiery article having fabric portions of differing texture. The apparatus is particularly intended for use in a mill wherein steam only is available, and the installation necessary to provide a hot water system of drying is undesirable or its cost prohibitive.

It is well known in the finishing of hosiery that a hot water system possesses many advantages, especially in respect of the availability of lowerthan-boiling temperatures for the boarding of chiffon goods which cannot be finished to a merchantable appearance within the range of temperatures afforded by steam. Our invention makes available a hot-water method of finishing in a manufactory where the only heating medium obtainable is steam.

Because of the fact that steam is used, and also that the temperature of steam may be readily varied over a wide range by a simple control, a regulation of the results obtainable by use of the present device is facilitated to a point where, if desirable, individual control may be provided for each table of forms, or even for each form if such a fine degree of flexibility is required.

Essentially, the present device attains the results just recited by the maintenance of different temperatures on the surface of a single form, so proportioned to the different fabric portions of a stocking that the lower temperature condition acting to dry the sheerer portions will be effective simultaneously with the higher temperature condition acting to dry the reinforced portions thereof, and thus finishing the whole stocking in the shortest possible time. This result is made possible without the disadvantages attendant upon drying a sheer stocking at the high temperature f rapid production or the lessening'of production incident to the drying of the reinforced portions at a temperature low enough to be harmless to the form of this invention with a stocking superposed 7 thereon in drying position;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the form of Fig. 1 with parts broken away;

" Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional View through a form embodying a modified arrangement of the form of Fig. 2; I

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section, similar to that of Fig. 2, illustrating a further modification of our apparatus;

Figs. 5 and 6 are elevations, partly in section, showing still further modifications.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the numeral 1 designates generally an interiorly heated, hosiery drying form of a common type, which comprises essentially a closed shell constructed in any conventional manner and arranged for support according to standard practice. In the lower end of the form 1 are provided the integral-bosses 2, 3 and 4 into which are respectively inserted the steam inlet nozzle 5, the outlet nozzle 6, and the drain plug 7.

Secured in the lower end of the form and cornmunicating with the nozzle 5 is the lower'end of a delivery pipe or tube 8 (Fig. 2) which extends upwards within the form and terminates close to the upper end thereof, so as to provide a delivery opening in the indicated location. A drain tube 9 is also fastened in the lower end of the form but in communication with the nozzle 6, and the upper end of this tube terminates at a line 12 which approximately follows the boundary of the reinforced toe, sole and heel portions 13 of a stocking boarded on the form, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2 and more clearly in Fig. 1.

The operation of the device is as follows: Assuming that the form is entirely devoid of heating medium and that it is desired to prepare the form for operation, the attendant opens a valve and allows steam at a predetermined temperature and pressure to enter the nozzle 5 and pass up wardly through the tube 8. At this time, since the form is cold, the entering steam will condense and water will collect in the form to the top of the tube 9. Thereafter, any water of condensation will overflow this tube and leave the form by way of the nozzle 6. Further passage of steam into the form maintains a steam heated region above the line 12 as well as serving to heat the body of water below the line 12 to a temperature somewhat lower than the temperature of the steam. Such condensate as may be fonned from time to time assists in maintaining the temperature of the water. The water is further heated by the passage of steam through the tube 9, it being evident that both overflowing water and outgoing steam pass through that tube.

The ultimate result is a form filled with hot water to include those portions which contact with the sheer areas of the stocking and with steam in the part which is overlaid by the reinforced portions of the stocking. The several parts and the steam factors are preferably so arranged that a proportioned drying effect is obtained in which the hotter, or steam-heated, zone serves to dry the heavier fabric portions in substantially the same length of time as the water-heated zone dries the sheerer fabric portions. Difiere'nt come binations of fabric structure will necessitate different combinations of drying temperatures and such variations may be readily secured by suitable changes in the sizes of tubing as well as adjustments in the steam pressure and temperature so as to produce the flow of medium which will give the desired result. The form may be emptied by removing the plug 7.

An important modification of the form shown in Figure 2 is depicted in Fig. 3. This view shows a typical cross-section through steam inlet and drain tubes 14 and 15, respectively, which are concentrically arranged with the tube 14 occupying the innermost position. These tubes function similarly to the tubes 8 and 9 of Fig. 2, but by placing the tube 14 within the tube 15, the condensate and low temperature steam passing through the annular space between the two tubes exerts an insulating effect on the steam passing through the tube 15 and thus lowers the rate of heat transmission to the body of water in the form. In this manner, the temperature of the 1 water which effects the drying of the sheerer portions of the stocking is maintained lower than the corresponding temperature of the water of the form of Fig. 2, while the temperature of the steam efiecting the drying of the reinforced foot and *7 heel portions of the stocking remains substantially the same.

In Fig. 4, there is illustrated a modification of V v the invention, which although somewhat higher in cost of manufacture, attains a more efficient i drying of the welt 16 of the stocking (Fig. 1).

The bosses 17, 18 and 19, the nozzles 20 and 21, the plug 22 and the tube 23 function similarly to the corresponding elements in Fig. 2. However, in this embodiment, there are provided two transversely disposed septa 24 and 25 within the form which are spaced 2. small distance apart for a purpose to be explained and located approximately at the junction 26 of the welt and sheer leg portions of the stocking (Fig. 1). The lower septum 24 is provided'with a boss2'? and the upper septum with an opening 28 through which a tube 29, fastened at its lower end in the boss 27 extends upwardly to a point corresponding to the upper end of the tube 9 of Fig. 2.

the form shown in Fig. 2. As in the latter instance, steam passes downwardly through the tube 29 and enters the space 30 below the septum 24 so that two steam spaces are provided in the form. The result is a steam heated zone coextensive with the welt 16 of the stocking and hence a drying action thereof comparable to that obtaining in the reinforced foot 13 (Fig. 1). Since the amount of condensate passing through the tube 29 is relatively small when the form has attained its operating temperatures, it and the condensate formed in the chamber 30 is rapidly drained away through the nozzle 21 to a conventional form of trap (not shown) Hence,- in this modification, there is obtained a refinement of the results accomplished by the form of Fig. 2, namely, proportional drying of the foot, leg and welt portions, whereby these portions of varying fabric texture are dried in substantially the same period of time. The purpose of the space between the septa 24 and 25 is to insulate the body of water above the septum 25 from the action of the steam below the septum 24, and so maintain each of these regions at their proper drying temperature. The spacing of the septa may be varied as desired. If it is desired to empty the form at the close of operations, the drain plugs 22 and 31 are removed, the latter being mounted in the septa 24 and25 and preferably in alignment with the plug 22 for convenience of access.

In Fig. 5 is illustrated a further modification of the apparatus under discussion, in which the numeral 32 designates a hollow drying form having a supporting portion 33, a leg portion 34 and a foot portion 35. The portions 33 and 34 are angularly disposed with respect to each other so that the form 32 will occupy an inclined position when mounted on the customary support. Further, the angular relation between the leg portion 34 and the foot portion 35 is more in accord with standard practice in this respect for the purpose of preventing wrinkling of thefabric in the region of the angle, than isthe case with the forms hereinbefore described. Extending upwardly within the form are the steam inlet and overflow pipes 36 and 37, respectively, both pipes being given an appropriate bend in order to conform to the inclination of the leg portion 35, with the pipe 36 terminating close tothe upper side of the foot portion 35 and the overflow pipe 37 at a line 38 substantially marking the junction of the sheer leg and reenforced foot portions of a stocking which may be superimposedon the form.

The operation of the form in Fig. 5 is precisely the same as that illustrated in Fig. 2, but it will be particularly noted that, by reason of the in clination of the form, it is possible to locate sub-v stantially correctly thewater level in the form so as to make it accord with the aforenoted junc tion line in a form which is arranged with proper relations existing between the leg and foot portions.

Referring to Fig. 6 which illustrates a still further modification of a drying form of the upright type, the numeral 39 designates such a form having correct dispositions of the leg and foot portions thereof and which is provided internally with a septum 40 which closely conforms to the junction line between the sheer leg and reene forced foot portions. The septum 40 divides the form 39 internally into a chamber 41 and a chamber 42, upper and lower, respectively. The chamber 41 is intended to serve as a steam heating chamber and is supplied by a steam inlet Leis-ntpipe '44 which"'extends upwardly'throu'gh the form, as described in connection with the other forms, through the se'ptiniri 40 an'd terminates closeto the upper side of the chamberll. Anischar'gejpipe 45 alsoextends' upwardly through the chamber 42 andt'erminat'es on the upper side or the septum 40. The lower end of the chamber 42, which isawater heating chamber, is closed by. a drain. plug .43;

In operation, the form "39 is first inverted, or placed some other convenient position, and the drain plug 43 removed in order topermit the insertion of a suitable amount of water within the chamber 42. ,v The plug is then replaced and the form placed-in an upright position as shown andst'e'am' introduced through the inlet pipe 44. It willbe obvious that the steam entering by the pipe 44 and leaving by the pipe f4'5 'will ,cre'atea steam heated zone in the chamber 41 and further,that thepassa'ge of steam through the indicated pi'pes will heat the water in the chamber 42 to a temperature somewhat less than that obtaining in the chamber 41, but which is entirely adequate to dry the sheer leg portions of the stocking. The normal expansion of the water in the chamber 42 may be compensated for at the beginning of the operation by introducing a quantity of water into the chamber 42 less than the full volume of the latter, the difference being filled by the expansion of the water. The form 39 may be regarded as a variation of the form 32 in respect of the correct angular relations obtaining between the foot and leg portions thereof, but it is possible in the form illustrated in Fig. 6 to take advantage of the possibilities of the present invention in a form of the upright type.

We claim:

1. A hollow, hosiery drying form for receiving a heating medium comprising a steam inlet pipe and an overflow pipe for condensate extending lengthwise within the form, the upper end of the overflow pipe terminating substantially at a line approximating the junction of the sheer leg and reenforced foot portions of a stocking boarded on the form and the upper end of the inlet pipe extending beyond and terminating closer to the upper end of the form than the outlet pipe.

2. A hollow, hosiery drying form for receiving a heating medium comprising a steam inlet pipe and an outlet pipe for condensate extending upwardly from the lower part of the form, said inlet pipe terminating close to the upper end of the form and said outlet pipe at a lower point corresponding substantially to the junction of the sheer and. reenforced portions of a stocking boarded on said form.

3. A hollow, hosiery drying form for receiving a heating medium comprising a steam inlet pipe and an outlet pipe for condensate extending upwardly from the lower part of the form, said inlet pipe terminating close to the upper end of the form and said outlet pipe at a lower point corresponding substantially to the junction of the reenforced and sheer portions of a stocking boarded on said form to thereby define steam-heated and water-heated zones substantially coextensive with said stocking portions, respectively, the adjacent surfaces of said zones being in contact.

4. A hollow, hosiery drying form for receiving a heating medium comprising a steam inlet pipe extending interiorly from the lower part of said form close to the top thereof, a transverse septum dividing said form into upper and lower chambers and located substantially in line with the junction of the welt and leg portions of a stoeking boarded onsaid form, 'and'an' over flow pipe for cond ens'ate' extending from said septurn to a point lower tli'a'n'the upper endof the inlet pipe and substantially in linewith the junction of the sheer leg and reinforced foot portions of said stocking, the lower end of saidoverflow pipe communicating with saidlower chamber. ,5; A hollow, hosiery drying'form for receiving a heating medium comprising means for supply ing steam to said form, means for maintaining the water offcondensa'tion'formedirom said steam at a predetermined level to establisha water-heat ed Zone for the "sheer leg portion of a stocking boarded onsaid form, and means for maintaining steam heated 'z'on esj'sub'stantially coextensive {with the welt and reinforced foot portions o'fsaid stocking. r v 6, A, hollow, hosieryfdrying form for receiving a heating medium"'comprisingjupper and lower chambersiafsteam inlet pipe extending interiorly from the lower part of said form close 'to the top thereof, the division between said chambers being located substantially in line with the junction of the welt and leg portions of a stocking boarded on the form, and an overflow pipe for condensate extending from said division line to a point substantially in line with the junction of the sheer leg and reenforced foot portions of said stocking, the lower end of said overflow pipe communicating with said lower chamber.

'7. A hollow, hosiery drying form for receiving a heating medium comprising concentrically disposed, steam inlet and condensate overflow pipes extending lengthwise within the form, said inlet pipe being innermost, the upper end of the inlet pipe terminating close to the adjacent end of the form and the upper end of the overflow pipe terminating at a lower point and substantially at a line marking the junction of the sheer leg and reenforced foot portions of a stocking boarded on the form.

8. A hollow, hosiery drying form for receiving a heating medium and comprising a supporting portion, leg and foot portions, said leg portion being angularly disposed with respect to said supporting portion, a steam inlet pipe and an overflow pipe for condensate extending lengthwise within the form, the upper end of the inlet pipe terminating close to the upper end of the form and the upper end of the overflow pipe terminat- A ing at a lower point and substantially at a line marking the junction of the sheer leg and reenforced foot portion of a stocking boarded on the form, the angular relation between the leg and supporting portions being sufficient in conjunction with the angular relation between the foot and leg portions to maintain the level of the condensate approximately coincident with the said junction line.

9. A hollow, upright, hosiery drying form for receiving a heating medium comprising an internal septum located in the foot portion of the 10. A hosiery drying structure comprising a hollow form adapted to externally receive in drying position thereon a hosiery article havin fabric portions of different weights and provided internally with steam heated and water heated zones characterized by different temperatures, the steam heated zone having the higher temperature being contiguous to the heavier fabric portions of the hosiery article,

'11. A hosiery drying structure comprising a hollowform adapted to externally receive in drying position thereon a hosiery article having fabric portions of different weights and provided internally with steam heated and water heated zones characterized by different temperatures, the steam heated zone of higher temperature being contiguous to the heavier fabric portions of the hosiery article and the temperatures of both zonesbeing adjusted to dry all portions of the article in substantially the same time.

, -12. A hosiery drying structure comprising a hollow form adapted to externally receive in drying position thereon a stocking having a fabric leg portion of a given weight and a fabric foot portion of a relatively heavier weight and. pro"- vided internally with steam heated and water heated zones characterized by different temperatures, the steam heated zone of higher temperature being contiguous to the foot portion and the water heated zone having a lower temperature being contiguous to the leg portion;

13. A hosiery drying structure comprising a hollow form adapted to externally receive in drying position thereon a stocking having a fabric leg portion of a given weight and a fabric welt portion of a relatively heavier weight and provided internally with steam-heated and waterheatedzones characterized by different temperatures, the steam-heated zone of higher temperature being contiguousto the welt portion and the water-heated zone having a lower temperature being contiguous to the leg portion.

THOMAS W. PROSSER. JOHN H. WAI-ILBECK. 

